Reply to Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam Chairman of MACC Advisory Board - Disclose What Are Your So Called Long Term Plans

I refer to the statement by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Chairman of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Advisory Board (Berita Harian on 8th December, 2009 - page 2) in relation to the proposals made by Kedah Gerakan Youth to improve MACC a few days ago. A copy of the full details of the proposal can be obtained at tankengliang.blogspot.com.

Amongst others, the Chairman of the MACC Advisory Board was reported as saying:-
1. there is no need for any political party to disturb or interfere with the investigation conducted by MACC as it will only destroy efforts to improve the MACC.
2. there is no need for anybody to give any instruction on what ought to do or not to do by MACC as the commission knows what is best to eradicate corruption.
3. the MACC Advisory Board was formed to supervise the progress of MACC and surely have a long term plan to be implemented.

As such, I would like to clarify and state as follows:-

1. I was merely making a proposal to MACC to improve the public perception of MACC on its role to eradicate corruption. It is unfortunate that my intention to give a suggestion to MACC is construed by the Chairman of the MACC Advisory Board as disturbing or interfering with the investigation conducted by MACC and destroying efforts to improve MACC.

2. I agree that MACC knows what is best to eradicate corruption. However, “knowing” and “doing” are completely two different things. The most recent example are the alleged corruption or misappropriation of funds highlighted in the Auditor General’s Annual Report. To date, no action had been taken against a large number of the reported alleged wrongdoers highlighted in the Auditor General’s Annual Report (since the formation of MACC). The failure of MACC to automatically scrutinize the Auditor General’s Annual Report had subsequently led to our Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak to form a Special Task Force led by Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Sidek Hassan to investigate the Auditor General’s Annual Report.

3. It is good that the MACC Advisory Board has a long term plan to improve the MACC. But Malaysian may not be that forgiving in granting more time to MACC to eradicate corruption.

Thus, I would like to request Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Chairman of the MACC Advisory Board to disclose to Malaysians “What are the long term plans of MACC’s Advisory Board to improve MACC” and whether there is any timeline to implement such long term plan.

I believe that the MACC’s Advisory Board should be accountable to Malaysians on their long term plans for MACC, if any. Malaysians should know what are the so called “Long Term Plans”.